Han Solo (Hoth) - RC - Basic

The Star Wars Retro Collection is inspired by the 1980s STAR WARS figures and features original figure design and detailing! Continue your collection from the galaxy far, far away!

Is it brown or is it blue? We’re not going to debate that here. The question was answered years ago, yet the question lives on as an urban legend like no one bothered to answer it. For the 40th Anniversary of The Empire Strikes Back, Hasbro created a second wave of Retro Collection figures, all based on The Empire Strikes Back and put them together as Walmart exclusives. The collection of six simply-articulated action figures is safe. They’re all main characters, and it’s evident that Hasbro didn’t want to stray far from lead characters in this line to assure positive sell-through at the retail level. We’re disappointed in their choice for Han Solo, however. They decided to resurrect the 1980 ESB Han Solo (Hoth Outfit) figure. We feel that 1981’s ESB Han Solo (Bespin Outfit) would have been the better choice. The on-screen character wears this costume throughout most of the film, including both Hoth and Bespin. It’s a more versatile choice, and would have gone better with the other figures chosen for the Retro Collection. We’re still disappointed that Hasbro shortened the name. They’ve called this figure Han Solo (Hoth) instead of Han Solo (Hoth Outfit). And the back of the card has the STAR WARS logo, not THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK. There’s another major problem with the card back, but more on that shortly.

Han Solo (Hoth) is a all-new figure based on the tooling of 1980’s ESB Han Solo (Hoth Outfit) figure. Hasbro did a fair job matching the colors of the classic vintage Kenner figure. But a side by side comparison will show you how differently they’ve been approached when it comes to their deco. The original has a deeper blue jacket. And the pants are also richer in tan color than the new release. The biggest disappointment here is that Hasbro decided to cast the DL-44 blaster in black plastic. As you probably know well, the figures in THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK line all (but a few exceptions) came with blue weapons. Whether it was a lack of attention to detail, intentional, or a crapshoot, Star Wars collectors may never learn the real reason why they didn’t match the color of the weapons for the Retro Collection. Also of note, the posture of Han Solo (Hoth) always had a “leaning-forward” type of angle to it. But the Retro Collection version is very noticeable. And it’s difficult to bend the body back to give Han Solo an erect posture. The last detail we noticed that is quite different from the 1980 figure is the flesh-toned face. The original had a yellow hue to it, but this time it’s noticeable flesh-colored, and it comes across as an enhancement this time around.

OK, so let’s talk about the card back now. You have to be a nerd to appreciate what we’re about to say next. But Hasbro DID NOT grab the correct still from Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back to produce this figure’s card art. Look at our side-by-side comparison image in our Photo Gallery. You’ll notice that the 1980 ESB Han Solo (Hoth Outfit) image is blurry. They didn’t choose a “clear” image and then it got blurry during the design of the card. It’s a real, genuine still from Lucasfilm LTD., and it’s a shame that Hasbro didn’t utilize it to recreate the faithfulness of the original release. Instead, Hasbro used a still a frame before or after the original (which is clearer and not blurry) and incorporated it into the card art for the Retro Collection Han Solo (Hoth) figure. We’re nerds, so we’re a bit disappointed that they didn’t keep things identical. We don’t like it when Hasbro doesn’t pay attention to the smallest of details and decides to do their own thing with vintage-Kenner related merchandise. We strongly feel that they have to make exact replicas of both figure and packaging. No matter your personal feelings on this, Han Solo (Hoth) is a wonderful addition to the Retro Collection line. We hope that we can expect more figures in the line. There is a ton that needs to get out to collectors!